of living how much he disapproved of their principles. He had great inflttence over his clergy. It was his first care to emphasize the need of purity of life. He spoke strongly and fearlessly to his clergy on this subject. In one of his sermons he spoke from the text [1]"Take heed to yourselves." He said to the clergy: "You do, indeed, take heed to yourselves. Who denies it? It is the common report that you so do. You take heed, verily, to the enrichiug of your sons and daughters. You are so careful for your heirs that you are forgetful of your successors. … At the present," he says, "it is reported of us that we are more concerned with shearing than shepherding the sheep." It was by such advice as this that he exhorted Churchmen to give the Puritans no cause to complain of them.
Other things for which the Bishop especially pleaded, in his time, were the preservation of the doctrine of the Church of England, a higher standard of living among the clergy, and a warmer pastoral spirit. He says of clerical neglect: [2]"If you attend not to the flock, the flock will attend to you. … While you are neglectful of the people, be sure that the people has its eye on you."
One side of Andrewes' character we must not pass over. He has been extolled by everyone for his high principle and the purity of his own life. Professor Gardiner says of him: [3]"Going in and out as he did among the frivolous and grasping courtiers, who gathered round the king, he seemed to live in a peculiar atmosphere of holiness." In fact, as far as he possibly could considering his office, he avoided the life
- ↑ Life of Andrewes, by Rev R. L. Ottley, p.32. Leaders of Religion
- ↑ Ibid, p.34.
- ↑ Quoted by Ottley, p.49.
